Print Magazine
Brussels Morning Newspaper
Thursday, May 19, 2022
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
    • About Us
  • EU institutions
    • Commission
    • Parliament
    • Council
  • Europe
  • World
  • Economy
  • Culture and Society
  • In Depth
    • Ambassador’s Corner
    • The American Angle
    • Europe With Transparency
    • Sustainable Perspective
    • Place de la Bourse
    • The Macro-Economist
    • Southeast Europe
Brussels Morning Newspaper
  • Home
    • About Us
  • EU institutions
    • Commission
    • Parliament
    • Council
  • Europe
  • World
  • Economy
  • Culture and Society
  • In Depth
    • Ambassador’s Corner
    • The American Angle
    • Europe With Transparency
    • Sustainable Perspective
    • Place de la Bourse
    • The Macro-Economist
    • Southeast Europe
Brussels Morning Newspaper
No Result
View All Result
Home Brussels

Schaerbeek promises (internal) debate about removing bust Roger Nols

Sarhan Basem by Sarhan Basem
5 May 2022
in Brussels
Schaerbeek promises (internal) debate about removing bust Roger Nols
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The municipality of Schaerbeek wants to discuss what should be done with the bust of former mayor Roger Nols at the next city council in June. Nols is notorious for his discrimination against Flemish people and migrants. As reported by BRUZZ, Removing his statue completely, the municipality does not find a solution. “We prefer to opt for support and communication,” says Mayor Cécile Jodogne (Défi).

The Schaerbeek mayor on a camel, December 1986. It was supposedly a warning of what would happen to the municipality if more migrants arrived. Roger Nols (FDF, meanwhile changed to Défi), at the helm of Schaerbeek between 1970 and 1989, was often xenophobic and openly racist.

In the 1970s he made the national press by opening separate counters for French speakers, Dutch speakers and foreigners – completely against language legislation. In the 1980s he mainly focused on the migrants in the neighbourhoods around the North Station. And in addition to his media stunt on the camel, he attracted attention when he invited French far-right politician Jean-Marie Le Pen (Front National).

There was indeed criticism, but Nols remained a voice cannon. For just under twenty years, he could count on broad support from the Schaerbeek electoral public. His bust still adorns the town hall today. In 2017 , anti-racism association MRAX (Mouvement contre le Racisme et la Xenophobia) asked for that bust to be removed. The then mayor Bernard Clerfayt (Défi) then ordered a study to better understand the figure of Roger Nols. That study is now, after five years, ready.

Historical context

“In the discussion about contested statues, the focus is often on a single figure, in this case Roger Nols, but they always function in a broader network,” says historian Joost Vaesen (VUB), co-author of the study. “Roger Nols was a voice gun. His policies are partly based on electoral mechanisms. For example, there had been campaigns and lobbying against the bilingual status of municipal officials for some time, even before he set up the separate counters. And in the 1980s, the police also carried out very targeted actions against immigrants.”

The municipality continued to struggle with a budget deficit, impoverishment and increasing unease. Migrants, who had no voting rights, were head of Jut. At the same time, a counter-movement of Flemish organizations and anti-racist associations developed.

The article by Vaesen and his colleague Serge Jaumain (ULB) was published on Monday at the Brussels Studies Institute. They are based, among other things, on ten interviews by historian Philomène Gallez (ex-ULB) with supporters and opponents of Nols. “It is important to highlight multiple angles in the debate,” emphasises Vaesen. Concentrating the criticism on Roger Nols alone, it still sounds, might understate other xenophobic figures and their constituents of the time.

Statue

The historians do not say whether or not the bust of Nols should disappear from the town hall. For that debate, they look to the general population. “Our report is a first building block for a substantiated debate,” says Vaesen.

The municipality of Schaerbeek plans to hold this debate internally for the time being. “First in the college of aldermen and then in the city council,” says chief of cabinet Marc Weber of mayor Cécile Jodogne (Défi). “A public debate may be possible later, but let us be clear: Mr. Nols is no longer well known to the general public.”

The municipality is now thinking more of a ‘travail de mémoire’, a historical awareness about Roger Nols and his legacy. “By removing the statue, you would be rewriting history. We prefer to opt for support, communication and information,” says Weber.

How this should be done will be discussed during the next city council on 1 June. Historian Joost Vaesen already believes that statues in public space can be an “opportunity to get started with difficult themes.” “If you remove all references to contested figures, there is a danger that you will end up in a historical forgetfulness or reach a kind of taboo,” says Vaesen. “It will be up to the municipality to shape that awareness.”

MRAX, which started the discussion about Nols’ bust in 2017, was unable to respond on Monday.

Tags: Brussels Latest

Latest post

Budapest

What Are 10 Best Budget Hotels In Budapest?

2 hours ago
Brussels,,Belgium,,15,May,2018.flags,Of,Un,And,Eu,Stand

UN lowers global GDP forecast, blames Russia

6 hours ago

Most Read

  • shutterstock_1821616664

    MEPs send Open Letter urging the Home Secretary Priti Patel to reject Assange’s extradition

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • These are the 10 highest paying jobs in the Europe in 2022

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Why corruption matters

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Brussels residents want to set up school for Ukrainian children

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Sweden: Taking Syrian children away from parents for protection?

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
Facebook Twitter Youtube LinkedIn

About Us

Brussels Morning is a daily online newspaper based in Belgium. BM publishes unique and independent coverage on international and European affairs. With a Europe-wide perspective, BM covers policies and politics of the EU, significant Member State developments, and looks at the international agenda with a European perspective.

Category

  • Ambassador’s Corner
  • Belgium News
  • Brussels
  • Commission
  • Council
  • Culture and Society
  • Diplomacy
  • Economy
  • EU Institutions
  • Europe
  • Europe With Transparency
  • Features
  • In Depth
  • Member States
  • Middle East Eye
  • Opinion
  • Our pick
  • Parliament
  • Place de la Bourse
  • Southeast Europe
  • Sustainable Perspective
  • The American Angle
  • The Macro-Economist
  • Uncategorised
  • US Elections
  • World

More info

  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Cookies Policy
  • Contact Us
  • FAQ
  • Jobs

Brussels Morning Newspaper - All Rights Reserved © 2020

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About Us
  • EU Institutions
    • Parliament
    • Commission
    • Council
  • Europe
  • World
  • Member States
  • Economy
  • Culture and Society
  • In Depth
    • Ambassador’s Corner
    • Europe With Transparency
    • Place de la Bourse
    • The Macro-Economist
    • Sustainable Perspective
    • The American Angle
    • Southeast Europe
  • Print Magazine

Brussels Morning Newspaper - All Rights Reserved © 2020

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT